3-D printer used to build boy new arm for $350

A group of grad students in Florida used a 3-D printer to build a 6-year-old boy a new bionic arm for just $350.

KGO

Sunday, July 27, 2014

ORLANDO (KGO) --

A group of engineers has changed a young boy's life, and they might have also changed medical engineering in the process.

Alex Pring, 6, was born missing part of his right arm.

A group of engineering students from the University of Central Florida set out to build him an arm and prove it shouldn't cost a fortune.

They recorded how they built and then tested a new bionic arm for Alex.

Using a 3-D printer, they made it for just a fraction of what a similar arm would cost.

"I hope that people look at these other arms that cost $40,000," said student Albert Manero. "If we can do this for just $350 in just eight weeks, I'm sure we're going to keep pioneering. But I hope people are upset. I mean these arms should not be costing $40,000."

The first thing Alex did when he learned how to use his new arm, was turn around and give his mom a big hug.